FIERF builds a pipeline of the best and brightest future employees of the forging industry!

FIERF builds our future workforce by promoting our industry, awarding scholarships, identifying and sharing employment opportunities and encouraging participation in forging research and projects.

We invite you to partner with FIERF to help develop our future workforce; for research projects that connect you with academia and provide practical knowledge for your company; and for unique networking opportunities.

Research 

The Foundation partners with universities and research partners to fund technology development, engage students in experiential learning and report results through Technical Reports and Conferences.

 Grant requests are to be submitted to the Foundation Office by February 15, 2024.

Education 

The Foundation works with secondary and university faculty to include forging content in curriculum, provide students with career information, and engage academia and industry in meaningful partnerships to attract students to careers in the forging supply chain. Scholarships:

  • Edward F. Wozniak Memorial Scholarship: Awards up to $2,500 to full-time graduate and undergraduate students attending four-year colleges or universities; or up to $1,000 to students attending two-year community colleges or trade schools. Students must be attending a school in the following states: KY, TN, IN, IL, MI, IA, MO, AR, NC, SC, MS, AL, NE, OK, WI. Students must be studying in the fields of engineering or business.  Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above and be a citizen of the United States, Canada or Mexico.
  • Charles W. Finkl Scholarships are awarded to college sophomores and juniors majoring in metallurgical, materials, materials, chemical, computer, electrical or industrial engineering at an accredited four-year college or university.  Awards are $2000 in the junior year and an additional $2000 in the senior year if the student remains eligible.  Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above and be a citizen of the United States, Canada or Mexico. Clicking on this link will take applicants to the Scholarship America website where you will register and look for the Charles W. Finkl Scholarship information and application.
  • The Forging Industry Women's Scholarship - of up to $5000 are awarded to full-time graduate and undergraduate students attending a two- or four- year college or university in the fields of engineering, business or a comparable area of study.  Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above and be a citizen of the United States, Canada or Mexico. Clicking on this link will take applicants to the Scholarship America website where you will register and look for the Forging Industry Women’s Scholarship information and application.
  • The Al Underys Engineering, Metallurgical & Material Sciences Memorial Scholarship is a $2,500 scholarship available to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in engineering.  Scholarship recipients will be matched with an FIA member company to complete an available internship opportunity. 

Contact the Foundation Office (216-781-6260 or [email protected]) if you’d like to know more about the scholarships or if you would like to make a financial contribution to encourage students to pursue careers in the forging industry.

Named Professorship at Colorado School of Mines (CSM): FIERF’s endowment to create the Center of Forging Excellence at CSM provides a coordinating source with technical universities and other FIERF-designated Magnet Schools to promote forging-related courses. Professor Kester Clarke holds the FIERF professorship at CSM

FIERF Magnet Schools: The Foundation established the Magnet School Program to increase awareness and knowledge of the forging industry among university engineering students. Magnet School Professors are a valuable resource for student engagement, internships, senior design and industry research.